Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-12-23

10 the same extent rs the Others
Yes, | suppose that is So
1--WE hear cf daily visits to Abyssinia
But mark Your father forgets every day
what he has said and done there Cjcely
sees her brother as often os she wishes, by
Paul's help, Hetty obeys if he lifts his
little finger. This is a dangerous state of
things, Sibyl. In the hands of an unscru-
pulous person it would he very dangerous.
The man has opportunities which no one
should be allowed to have"
Yes. and how has he used them 2'
"He has taken all our money. Sibyl. Of
that / am certain. And yet | do not be-
lieve he has stolen it,"
81 do Tom"
Now, have made one discovery which
may help us. have found ont that he
knew, month ago, that Brudenel and
Company were shaky."
"Oh and he preteuds to know nothing
at all about business"
I'VE must be tolerant, my dear. When
man goes in for this line of life he must
be prepared with good many Crackers
and a Brazen Brow. He is like novel
is. "
Everybody knows that novelist
makes no"
Yes, but if you stop to think that it
is made up you are lost Now listen,
nave found out one of the Crackers, which
is something Four weeks ago Lavinia
Medlock had q visit from an old gentle
man. ali OF whose money was in the Com
pauy. He had received a private and con
lidential warning from somebody who had
access to the books or could put Things 10.
gelher, He had also received an assurance
from somebody else in the office that the
Company was most flourishiug. Then
this old gentleman bewildered and uncer-
tam went to Lavina for counsel. He
might as well have asked the town pump.
L1vina's spirits behaved in the usual ri
dlCuous manner, and she finally gave it
mp and made out case for counsel and
sent it to Paul, who ordered the old gen
tl- man to sell ont instantly"
But how did he know the private affairs
of the firm ?"
My dear child, told you that Paul
possesses extraordinary faculties He
found out, | suppose, just as | have found
out, only much more quickly, that in the
present condition Of trade, and consider
ing what the Company have done of late
years, the concern could not possibly keep
up the high dividends which it has been
paying. If | had given my attention, six
months ago, to the subject, | would have
convinced your tother as well as myself
Very good, that is my discovery. AS for
the letter of Introduction to the manager,
II was written-I have seen lt-by your
father, Nothing could be clearer The
cheques were also signed by him. More
ever, the three persons to whom the
cheques were payable-The Right Honor
able Izak Ibn Menelek the Falasha, Mr. -
probably General-Rupent =. Zeigler, of
Philadelphia, and the respectable Surab-
ice Kamsitjee, of Bombay, have all open
ed accounts in their different banks, each
giving the name of your father as a refer
ence of responsibility. In each case he
has written a letter attesting the respecta-
Dility of the person. No hesitation was
made in opening an account which began
with so big cheque and so sound refer
ence."
"All this is very wonderful Tom. But
it does not prove the mans honesty"
at does not, confess. But so far, not
a single cheque has been drawn at any of
the banks. 1 have found that out, and it
seems to me very significant circum-
stance. Well. One more discovery also
made. The cheques were paid in person
ally. The first was brought by an old man
intirm and crippled, who could scarcely
walk-Paul. The second was brought by
Il middleaged man with an immense light
brown beard and spectacles-Paul again.
The third was brought by Il man in East
ern costume, brown-sklnned with a thick
black beard and black eyes. | have Pauls
photograph painted and adorned with a
turban and black beard-here it is-the
true portrait of Surabjse Kamsitj ee-only
unfortunately they do not remember at
the Bank"
Tom continued summing up the situa-
ton.
"Well The position is sufficiently al
farming. How could we prove that Paul
caused these cheques TO be drawn by false
pretences, Mesmeric influence is not re-
cognized by the Courts Of Law. though
undue influence might be urged You
have to prove it. A man apparently In
the full vigor OF his intellect orders, in an
autograph letter which cannot be disputed
the sale of certain shares. He then with
his own hand draws these CHEQUES
counterfoils being entered with care-and
| signs them The signature cannot be dis
puted. He then writes three letters, in
each of which he vouches for the respecta
bility of certain person. His only an
| swer to these facts is that he torgets all
about it that he does not know these
persons. But he cannot tell how he came
to do it, Next, how are we to connect
Paul with the money! How can it be
proved that he was the infirm old man
confess that it will be difficult"
las for Mr.. Rupert Xeigler, the beard is
all one has to go by, although | am per
fectly sure that the beard was on Paul s
chin. And as for the gentleman of Bonn
bay, they remember very little about him,
though they own that my picture Is very
like So far, you see, think the most
acute detective would fail to connect Paul
| with the cheques. Ii remains to lind out,
II we can, his method of working upon
your father, and on that point | hope TO
be able to throw light before lang"
And meantime, | suppose" said Sibyl,
'he will make my father sell his land and
his house and everything"
1T is possible. In such hands anything
is possible"
And yet you are not alarmed"
Not Il bit. | have no fear Paul is
only working up for another miracle He
is arranging his effect, aud getting togeth-
er his little properties. 1t will be. he
thinks, truly beautiful miracle; only
this time, perhaps, we may have the salts
faction Of knowing how he does it. And,
perhaps Dodo," he took her hand again.
Perhaps the discovery, il we do make it,
and the vestal Virgin of the Cause may
be allowed to leave the Temple of a fallen
god"
(IO be COntinued.)